Yaya’s Raw Rah

Three Cheers For Inventive Organic Crackers

CAPSULE REPORT: It can be difficult to find an organic, raw-food cracker that tastes good to mainstream eaters. Yaya’s Raw Rah crackers fit the bill. They are dehydrated instead of baked to retain nutrients, and are full of organic ingredients such as flax seeds and vegetables. The organic crackers can serve as a stand-alone snack, but they certainly don't have to. We loved eating the five flavors with soft goat cheese.

Specialty food buyers and raw food folks don’t necessarily overlap. Raw food tends to be more severe, not sensuous. But yaya (grandma) Patricia Greer has developed a line of very attractive, crunchy raw crackers that cross over, and have appeal to food enthusiasts looking for something new and different.

Yaya developed her organic crackers from the leftover organic produce at her Houston co-op. These snacks are wheat-free, gluten-free, yeast-free, have zero trans fats and are entirely raw. People who seek the superior nutritional benefits of raw food (food produced at temperatures below 140°F, to preserve all the inherent nutrients) will enjoy tasting this crunchy, flavorful line.

All varieties are jam-packed with seeds—in other words, they even look healthy. In terms of health benefits, flax seeds (and sunflower seeds) may offer the same heart health benefits as walnuts and almonds. Walnuts and flax seeds have a significantly higher amount of alpha linolenic acid compared to other nuts and seeds. Linolenic acid is a plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to the omega 3 fatty acid found in salmon, which many studies show lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) levels.

Between retained nutrients and omega 3s, the health benefits are certainly superior to refined wheat crackers. The seeds are also visually arresting—an attractive addition to the plate. For some palates, the crackers might be a bit shocking in both taste and texture, but among the five flavors, at least one should jive with most taste buds.

Cracker Flavors

Onion Flax.
Onion Flax was our favorite, by far. It is a pretty cracker; crunchy with a nice onion flavor.

Sicilian Herb.
This cracker is one of the most robust. With ingredients that include Kalamata olives and soy sauce, the cracker has an immediate spicy kick. If you’re looking for a subtler flavor but want to retain the herb taste, pair it with a medium to heavy dip—perhaps French onion.

Spicy Flax.
Spicy Flax is not actually all that spicy, though it definitely has a bit of oomph to it. It has traces of the Onion Flax flavor, but adds ingredients such as carrots, pumpkin seeds and chili powder. Add a sprig of a fresh herb and a hunk of Grana Padano cheese for a snack or hors d’oeuvre.Shown at right: Tomato Basil (top) and Spicy Flax. The attractive crackers add interest when paired with cheese, spreads and soups.

Spinach Curry.
Spinach Curry is the most unusual of the line, as well as the boldest flavor. If you are looking for a cracker that packs the most punch, choose this one, but be aware of the lingering aftertaste of curry and vegetable. It’s for those who like the more exotic.

Tomato Basil.
Although the tomato flavor is apparent as soon as you take a bite, we still wanted more. We added a slice of fresh tomato on top, and the results were rewarding.

Serving Suggestions

We recommend trying sweeter toppings, such as a mango chutney or an orange marmalade, on the Onion Flax and Spicy Flax crackers. The other three flavors need a more savory companion. Or try breaking apart the crackers and serving them atop salads in place of croutons. Yaya herself suggests pairing the organic crackers with the following:

Onion Flax: avocado, salsa and parsley

Sicilian Herb: tapenade, tomato and basil

Spicy Flax: avocado, red bell pepper, cilantro

Spinach Curry: chutney, red pepper and cilantro

Tomato Basil: tomato, pesto, red bell pepper or jalapeño

Get out your pom poms and cheer for Yaya. And applaud yourself for making more nutritious choices.

The five flavors taste completely different,
so try them all to find the ones you like best.

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